News & Events

Month: December 2017

No. 1 trend. County continues to grow

Utah County growth is projected to catch up to Salt Lake County, reaching 1.6 million residents by 2065, and 2017 continued to add to those numbers. The Utah County housing industry is running almost nonstop, with new homes, subdivisions and multi-tenant housing options going vertical every day.

This growth is significantly spurred by the economic growth within the county. The northern part of the county continues to be the epicenter of office and commercial development, with major developments like Lone Peak Plaza in Lehi, and company expansions — Adobe announced one and IM Flash completed one — adding millions of square feet in office and work space.

Multiple businesses moved into new headquarters or broke ground in or around Lehi this year, including Podium, Entrata, Pointe Meadows Health and Rehabilitation and the nonprofit organization and business connector Silicon Slopes. American Fork, Pleasant Grove, Lindon and surrounding areas also are growth places as well, with the Valley Grove development continuing on the east side of the Pleasant Grove Boulevard freeway interchange, doTerra’s expansion plansstraddling both sides, and Jive’s new headquarters headed for the west side of the freeway there…

A commercial park is adding valuable space to a community just outside Salt Lake City, Utah.

St. John Properties is developing a landmark commercial project that will forever change the suburb Pleasant Grove, Utah, which is conveniently located between Salt Lake City and Provo.

Valley Grove is a 62-acre, mixed-use development that will improve the infrastructure of Pleasant Grove and promote further development in the fast-growing area. It will include a considerable amount of Class A office space, retail and a hotel.

The development will also help bring more jobs, tax revenue and other opportunities to the city of Pleasant Grove.

“It’s an investment upward of $300 million into what has been largely a bedroom community.” says Daniel Thomas, Regional Partner at St. John Properties. “People are excited to see that coming to their front door.”

DEVELOPING FOR LONGEVITY

Utah County, which includes Pleasant Grove, is one of the most dynamic markets in the United States. The team at St. John Properties believes it is a region that will continue to see long-term, sustainable growth.

“It just happens to be one of the fastest-growing counties not only in Utah, but also in the nation, from a population standpoint.” Thomas says. “Any place where you are adding mouths to feed and cars on the road, it’s really good for commercial development.”

Pleasant Grove is located along one of the region’s primary north-south arteries. Interstate 15. Because of the region’s steadily growing population, the demand for retail services and commercial space is stronger than ever.

“These are services those people are going to need.” Thomas says.

The project will also include several noteworthy environmental initiatives. Every office building at Valley Grove development will be designed to meet LEED® standards.

Building a project that will not contribute to the region‘s notoriously troubled air quality was one of St. John Properties‘ primary concerns.

“The U.S. Green Building Council just put out several studies and numbers on LEED buildings and their impact on air quality,” Thomas says.”‘More than 73 percent of U.S. electricity consumption actually comes from buildings. In addition to 39 percent of American [carbon dioxide] emissions.”

The stringent environmental standards implemented by St. John Properties will cut roughly 35 percent of the emissions compared to buildings not designed to the LEED guidelines. The development will also honor Pleasant Grove‘s city tagline billing it as “Utah’s City of Trees.”

“Our project, upon completion, will have more than 2,000 trees.” Thomas adds